Sheet transfer method and apparatus



y 1933. H. P. L. LAUSSUCQ 7,

SHEET TRANSFER METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 15, 1951 l Sheets-Sheet l 5112; niaa'iiT I Mf/w azi/f w I 1 i w fl i new L May 2, 1933- H. P. L. LAUSSUCQ 1,907,207

SHEET TRANSFER METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 15, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 1933. H. P. L. LAUSSUCQ 1,907,207

SHEET TRANSFER METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 15, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 6 9 10 11 12 15 14- 05 ,7 1 MOVAB LE on: START OF CYCLE A N o DECKLEI w H\| FTL RN"O= HALFTU=,NO i o CRANK SHAFT CFANK SHAF f 6, NEl- MOT! N LINERLMmON P OF Box gg wwma g 169 1 TRACK CONTACTS FOR /.44

BREAKING 14? TRANSFER MOTOR 102 CIRCUIT AND 1 CLOSING BRAKE VACUUM L! ClRCUIT CONTACT FOR HOLDlNG VACUUM VALVE OPEN 141 145 14 PRESSED Z, END OFCYCLE 5H EET LIMIT SWITCH-CONTACTS CIRCUIT OFTRANSFER MOTOR IS CLOSED STEPS OF OPERATION OF AND BRAKE CIRCUIT OPENED BOTH VACUUM Box TAKE OUT TIMES BY PRESSING PUSH BUTTON.

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SHEET TRANSFER METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 15, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 y 1933. H. P, L. LAUSSUCQ 1,907,207

SHEET TRANSFER METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 i7 18 19 20 21 22 25 START OF CYCLE 144 DELK LE 9 f :4 y/i 147 .g/d g 145 MOVABLE DnE g7 c ONT ACTs FOR RE KING l-gL lig g g H Zkili'fifii E TRANSFER MOTOR 1 Ea- H H 4" gl s l INTGABNFADA KE MO I TBTAANE SER OF TABLE OF TABLE C|RCU|T 146 145 149 PRESSFD SHEEW I I g -END OF CYCLE STEPs OF OPERATION OF L\MIT SWITCH CONTACTS TRANSFER TABLE TAKE'OUT CIRCUIT OFTRANSFER MOTOR IS CLOSED AND BRAKE cmcun OPEN ED BY PRESSING pus 7 4. 6 BUTTON,

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May 2, 1933. H. P. L. LAUSSUCQ SHEET TRANSFER METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 15, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 y 1933. H. P. LAUSSUCQ 1,907,207

SHEET TRANSFER METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 15, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet '7 May 2, 1933. H. P. L. LAUSSUCQ 1,907,207

SHEET TRANSFER METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 15, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 May 2, 1933. H LAUSSUCQ 1,907,207

SHEET TRANSFER METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 15, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 May 2, 1933.

H. P. L. LAUSSUCQ 1,907,207

SHEET TRANSFER METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 15, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet 1O www w May 2, 1933. 1,907,207

H. P. L. LAUSSUCQ SHEET TRANSFER METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 15, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 5 f 1%. A V 3 m 216 R I I 12% J flertj flf lj waueg May 2, 1933. H. P, L. LAUSSUCQ SHEET TRANSFER METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 15, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet l2 6 5A1." .1 11: WM M m m U LE 2 pz L Z J flit m J wT. I- 1 a m 5 A fl M 1 2 F H]!!! H M H 4 MW? 4 n U m y Z 1 y M n v w w Q 4 "0 M f A y |L /k Patented May 2, 1933 A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE A HEN'RI P. I. LAUSSUCQ, OF READTNG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 BIRDSBOR-O STEEL FOUNDRY & MACHINE COMPANY, OF BHtDSBOBO, PENNSYLVANIA, CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA SIBQEE'J, TRANSFER METHOD AND APPARATUS Application filed August 15, 1931.

My invention relates to the handling of pulp boards after they have been formed 1n a wet press.

A purpose of my invention is to provide novel and eificient mechanism for transferring pulp boards from a wet press to a drier.

A further purpose is selectively to charge one of a battery of driers from a single wet press.

A further purpose is to move vertically a delivery truck while piling wet sheets from a wet press thereon, deflecting the truck as the depth of the pile increases to register the momentarily top sheet at an elevation best adapting it to receive the next sheet from the press.

A further purpose is to progressively lessen the elevation of a delivery truck while it is being piled with sheets from a wet press to continuously register the receiving surface of the pile with the discharge position of mechanism transferring successive sheets from the press to the pile, and, when the truck has been loaded, to vertically move the truck into registry with a suitable track running to drier delivery mechanism.

A further purpose is to pile wet sheets from a wet press upon a truck and, after the truck has received suflicient sheets for the charging of a drier, to transfer the truck bodily to a position adjacent to the drier and there to vary its vertical position during unloading to best accommodate easy unloading from the top of the pile into vertically different portions of the drier.

A further purpose is to suspend a delivery truck at a multiple plate horizontal drier upon mechanism for delivering the sheets from the truck one at a time on to successive vertically spaced horizontal plates of the drier, varying the vertical position of the mechanism to register the unloading portion thereof at successive positions for easy delivery to the successive plates and varying the height of the truck with respect to the mechanism in order to maintain a uniformly easy pick-up between the delivery mechanism and the top of the diminishing pile of wet sheets on the truck.

A further purpose is to use mechanism for Serial No. 557,412.

inserting a fresh wet sheet on to a plate of a multiple plate horizontal drier to remove a finished dried sheet from the plate during A further purpose is to horizontally reciprocate a horizontal suction plate between the vertically spaced plates of a drier and preferably upon the successive plates thereof.

A further purpose is to pick up a wet sheet upon the bottom of a suction plate and, while the suction plate is supporting the wet sheet, to move the suction plate horizontally into a drier between vertically spaced plates thereof, and then after releasing the wet sheet within the drier to retract the suction plate horizontally outwardly to a pick-up position outside of the drier.

A further purpose is to vertically adjustably suspend a track section from a drier charging mechanism, mounting the mechanism on an elevator adjacent a multi-horizontal plate drier, and to transfer a truck piled with wet sheets to the track section and then to vary the vertical position of the elevator to register the charging mechanism at its delivery positions and to vary the vertical position of the track section with respect to the charging mechanism to bring the top of the pile in positionfor easy pick-up by the charger.

A further purpose is to provide drier loading mechanism mounted upon an elevator adjacent the drier and preferably includin a suction box adapted to horizontally and suitably rollingly reciprocate into and out of the 'drier at successive plates thereof, with rack and pinion mechanism for reciprocating the box and desirably including upwardly directed racks along the box near opposite sides thereof and a driving pinion for each rack on a supporting arm carrying rollers beneath the box forwardly and rearwardl of the pinion for holding the pinion to its uty with respect to the rack and desirably having a resilient support from the elevator permitting resilient vertical accommodation of the box with respect to the elevator.

A further purpose is to use the edges of the deckle to strip the compressed sheet from the die.

A further purpose is to lift the deckles while the die is still under pressure, using a resultant lateral expansion of the sheet beyond the inside line of the deckle to adapt the deckle to strip the sheet from the die when the die carrying the sheet is passed upwardly through the deckle.

A further purpose is to provide desirable means for removing a finished board from a wet press.

A further purpose is to mount lubricating and wiping mechanism on transfer mechanism used to carry a formed sheet from the space between the dies of a wet press.

A further purpose is to remove a finished sheet from the lower platen of a wet press by a vacuum box carried upon a carriage, depressing the carriage track to bring the box into a pick-up contact with the finished sheet and then lifting the track and retracting the carriage along the track.

A further purpose is to alternatively re ceive a sheet from the bottom of a raised die of a wet press upon either the top or bottom of a transfer tray, desirably usingthe movement of mechanism carrying the loaded tray to pass a wiper and/or a lubricator across the bottom of the raised die.

Further purposes will appear in the specification and in the claims.

I have elected to illustrate one only of the main forms of my invention, illustrating however, one or more of the details in modified forms and selecting a main form and details thereof that are practical and eflicient in operation and which will illustrate. the principles involved.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of mechanism embodying one form of a portion of my invention showing a forming press; and one of two illustrated forms of mechanism for removing wet sheets from the press for subsequent delivery to a suitable drying press, not shown in Figure 1, the transfer mechanism at the forming press being intended to deliver to any drier delivery=:mechanism, shown as delivery rollers, but intended for a conventional illustration of any suitable delivery mechanism.

Figure 2 is a portion of Figure 1 showing the parts in different position from that of Figure 1, the transfer mechanism being retracted in Figure 1 and in pick-up position in Figure 2.

Figure 3 is alright hand end view of the transfer mechanism BfFigure 1 to enlarged scale.

I Figure 4 is an enlarged fragment of Figure 1 showing a detail.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken upon the line 55*of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a diagram indicating a desirable cycle of operations, using the transfer mechanism of Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a developed commutator controlling the operation cycle of Figure 6, showing contacts for opening the control circuit of the transfer motor, contacts for closing and opening a circuit of an electric brake of the transfer-motor and contacts controlling the vacuum in the vacuum gripping mechanism.

Figures 8 to 14; inclusive are enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sections at the wet machine illustrating, ,to some extent diagrammatically, diiferent arts in successive positions for the cycle oi Figure 6.

Figure 15 is a diagram similar to Fi re different arts in successive positions for the cycle of *igure 15.

Figure 24 is a broken side elevation illustrating a portion of the transfer mechanism of Figures 10 to 14,.and of Figures 17 to 23.

Figure 25 is a vertical section in the plane of the paper of structure shown in Figure 24, omitting wiping and oil feed mechanism shown in the latter figure.

Figure 26 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the suction box shown in Figures 24 and 25. Figure 27 is a side elevation of mechanism. at a plate drier, including a pile of sheets upon a truck and mechanism for transferring tlie sheets of the pile to the successive drier p ates.

Figure 28 is a broken left end elevation of Flgure 27 omitting some parts shown in the latter figure.

Figure 29 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken upon the line 2 9-29 of Figure 28 or a section upon theline 29-29 of Figure 30.

Figure 30 is a right end elevation of structure shown in Figure 29 and corresponds to mentary section of Figure 33 on the line 32-32 thereof.

Figure 33 is an enlarged broken section upon the line3333 of Figure 29.

Figure 34- is a diagrammatic-plan assembly of structure embodying the more broad features of my invention and as illustrated comprises a wet machine, a bank of driers and auxiliary sheet handling mechanism.

Figure 35 is a sectional elevation upon the line 3535 of Figure 34.

Figure 36 is a sectional elevation upon the line 3636 of Figure 34.

Figure 37 is an enlarged fragmentary section illustrating mechanism pushing out a finished sheet from a drier by the insertion of a wet sheet.

Describing in illustration and not in limitation and referring to the drawings:

Wet machines for forming boards and sheets from paper pulp, leather fiber and other commercial fiber suspensions are well known, and therefore much of the illustration, although showing structure, is to beregarded as conventional. The primary purpose of all such'machines is to press liquid, usually water, from the raw material suspension to form the raw'material into a sheet.

For convenience in designation, I refer to the raw material suspension whatever its exact nature as fiber suspension or mush, and to the pressed product, whatever its dimensions, as a sheet.

A diificulty frequently encountered in wet machines is the withdrawal of the sheet from the mold. In the ordinary wet machine the upper die is smooth. and the lower die is foraminated for removal of water. This foramination 'ves air access so that the pressed sheet oes not stick tothe lower die but sticks to theupper die where vacuum conditions are created.

The upper surface of the lower die is ordi. narily covered by a travelling wire which is often used as a conveyor. When the wire is used as a conveyor the life of the wire itself is shortened; and this wire life is unfortu nately short anyhow because the forming-of each sheet usually occurs on the same part of the wire. Furthermore, some sheets are still so soft at the end of the pressing opera tion that they have little lateral cohesion'so that they can with difliculty be transferred from the wire after the wire has been withdrawn from the wet machine. As a consequence there is danger of breaking the sheets or of tearing their under surfaces.

While it is customary to construct wet machines with upper movable and lower stationary dies, and this form has therefore been illustrated in most of the figures, lower movable dies are sometimes used. It willbe evident, of course, that my invention is equally applicable, whether the upper die alone, or the lower die alone, or both dies are movable. While the upper and lower dies are of course press platens, the term platen is also applied to parts of the press located above or sitioned by vertical.

a) cross heads 61 ofjth below the movable die, port the rams.

The principal parts of the illustrated wet board press or wet machine (especially Figures 1 and 2; also Figures 8 to 14 and 17 to 23) include top and bottom fixed platens 40 and 41 respectively, tension columns 42, an intermediate platen 43 and a surrounding deckle 44. The intermediate platen 43 is or carries the upper die and the bottom platen 41 is or. carries the lower die.

The upper die 43 is guided at 45 by the columns 42. Its upper surface receives the lower ends of one or more downwardly directed main rams 46, each operating in a cylinder 47,and is connected near each corner with upwardly extending links 48 that are which are used t6 supsup orted at their upper ends in cross heads 49 rom the upper ends of retracting rams 50 operatin in suitablecylinders 51 provided with hy raulid connections 52.

Each main cylinder 47 is fastened at 53 to the under side of the top platen, hydraulic connections into the cylinder being indicated v at 54 above the top platen.

'of the word deckle, nor between the side deckle and the end deckle, as critical.

' The deckle sides are guided at 59 by the tension columns and are supported and po- .r,henge The hangers 60 a ends to the deckle a their upper ends eckle rams 62 opnnected at their lower crating in cylinders 63 having hydraulic connections 64. o

The gates are preferably hydraulically opened when the deckle is down and the upper die raised to charge fluid mush from the flowgboxes 56 and 57 into the mold and are lowered v preparatory mush into a wet sheet;

The moldincludes the vertically variant space between the upper and lower cliesoute' wardly bounded by the side and end deckles, that is by the interior of the deckle which includes the side and end deckles and carries the flow boxes, whose gates are also suitably the end deckles of the mold.

Although not illustrated, it will of course be evident that my mold will be provided with any suitable air vent and water lock,

as well known in the art.

During each cycle 'of the press a definite to the pressingrof the charge of the fluid mush enters the mold from the flow boxes and, after the temporarily raised gateshave been closed, is pressed between the upper and lower dies, Water escaping downwardly through foraminations of the lower die until the compressed residue is a wet sheet comprising the finished product of the press.

Thus far described, the illustrated mechanism is intended to comprise a conventional showing of any wet machine adapted to form the pressed sheet.

An important feature of the present invention however, includes the combination between the mechanism for transferring the wet sheet from between the dies and that for removing the sheet from the bottom of the lower die.

In the ordinary wet machine the upper die is smooth and the lower die foraminated for expression of water. This foramination permits air access between the sheet and lower die, so that when the dies separate, as by raising the upper-die, the sheet has little tendency to stick to the lower die, but sticks strongly to the upper die where vacuum conditions hold the wet sheet firmly against the upper die, and as a result the sheet lifts when the upper die is lifted, strongly adhering to the bottom of the upper die until the vacuum between the die and sheetfails.

In the past this has resulted in a lack of dcliniteness as to the time of the release of the sheet from the lower surface of the upper die after the die moves upwardly, with a resultant inability to synchronize transfer mechanism for carrying the sheet away from the space between the dies with the movements of the press. One feature of the present invention includes the provision of means for exactly timing the removal of the sheet from the under surface of the upper die with the upward movement of the die which permits exact synchronism between the movements of the sheet transfer mechanism and the press.

In accord with this feature I raise the deckle somewhat before releasing the pressure between the upper and lower (lies and thereby secure a small lateral expansion of the sheet which is still under compression, and has unconfined edges.

When the hydraulic pressure upon the upper die is finally released and the upper die raised, the sheet will have grown slightly at the unconfined edges of the mold, being now too large to reenter the deckle.

The sheet moves upward with the die, adhering to the bottom surface thereof as befofe and I deliver it from the bottom of the upper die by causing the die to slowly reenter the deckle. the lower edges of the deckle engaging the expanded edges of the sheet, deflecting these edges away from the surface of the; die, thereby instantly releasing the vacuum condition between the sheet and die and letting, the sheet drop either to the lower die or to a transfer tray, at a time definitely synchronized with respect to the operation of the press.

The pressure against the grown edges of the sheet may occur because the upper die is moved upward into the deckle, or because the deckle is moved downward around the upper die. In fact, if desired, the pressure against the grown edge may be from any other means.

I alternatively catch the sheet upon my carrier, which I move in between the dies as the upper die moves upwardly with the adhering sheet out of the way or drop the sheet to the lower die and then pick it up from above by means of the carrier for transfer from the mold.

In either of these operations, I synchronize the press and transfer operations, being enabled to accomplish this synchronization by reason of my synchronized delivery of the wet sheet from the raised upper die.

The downward separation of the sheet from the bottom of the upper die by the engagement of the deckle upon its grown edges serves as a positive controllable release for the sheet whereby I can reliably determine the release at a definite phase of the press cycle and I catch the sheet on or above'the lower die for transfer from the mold in any suitable manner.

Coordinated mechanism for removing the finished sheets from beneath the dies and for oiling or wiping the bottom of the upper die is best seen in Figures 1, 2, 3, 24, 25 and 26.

I effect transfer of the formed sheet from the mold in a novel manner by means of a carriage which moves into the mold when the deckle and upper die are raised, and travels from the mold with the sheet.

It will be evident that the supporting, moving and control means for the carriage 65 are subject to wide variation. I have selected means from among the many types of apparatus which could be used, such as hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, electrical and various combinations of these, because I consider the form shown to be the most simple and satisfactory inoperation, and not because the other forms available would not be suited to perform this function.

A motor 66, Figure 3 connects through a suitable speed reducer 67 and gears 68 and 69 with a control shaft 70. The electrical controller of the motor at 71 in cooperation with a l mit switch at 72. automatically stops the motor at the endof each one-half rotation of the control shaft 70, as later explained.

The control shaft carries cams 73 for shifting the vertical height of a track 74 that supports the carriage 65 used in removing the finished sheets and preferably also in wiping or oiling the bottom of the upper die.

The control shaft 70 is also provided with crank 7 5 which connect by links 76 to'longstroke rockers 77 that pivot at 78 and make link connections 79 at their lower ends to the carriage 65.

When the deckle 44 is raised, rotation of the control shaft 70 counterclockwise 180 from the position shown in Figure 1 moves the carriage 65 into the mold beneath the upper die and above or below the finished sheet, depending upon whether the sheet still adheres to the upper die 43, or has dropped to the lower die 41.

One form of transfer mechanism involves the use of a vacuum box to lift the sheet from the lower die. For this to be most effective the vacuum box must be brought into close contact with the surface of the sheet and then the sheet must be relatively moved away from the bottom die. I preferably accomplish this by vertically shifting the track 74 and carriage 65 by the track cams 7 3.

The track cams 73 are of variant form, depending upon how the sheet is to be removed from between the dies and how it is to be delivered from the transfer mechanism.

As illustrated, cam lugs 80 (Figure 1) depress the track by depressing the ends of rockers 81 which are pivoted at 82 and connect through short horizontal rockers 83, (Figure 3) pivoted at 84, to the upper ends of long links 85.

The lower ends of the long links 85 are conne ted to rocker arms 86 upon shafts 87 journalled at 88 in the track support 89. On the shafts 87 rocker arms counterweighted at 90 Figure 3) support the track 74 through crank arms 91 and links 92, serving to verticallv position the track in guides 7 4.

The motor 66 is switched out of the circuit after each counterclockwise 180 rotation of the shaft by a suitable limit switch 72 operatively connected at 93 to one end of the control shaft 70.

W'hile the switch 72 may be a commercial unit, and therefore not in itself part of the invention. the angular positions of the contacts of the switch are illustrated in the de veloped commutator 94 of Figure 7.

As indicated, beginning the sheet transfer cycle at the line 95. Figures 6 and 7. the control shaft starts to rotate counterclockwise when a suitable starting button 96, Figure 3, in the circuit of the motor 66 has been pushed by an o erator or by mechanism synchronized with the operation of the press.

The motor rotates the cranks to a position 180 removed from that of Figure 1. bringing the carriage to its extreme inward posit on within the mold. a suitable contact 97. (Figure 7) of the switch mechanism 72 stopping themotor 66 at the line. 98. (Figure 6) when this position is reached. as by opening' the motor circuit and applying a suitable brake 99 (Figure 3) to bring the motor promptly to rest.

Just before the cranks 75 come to the end of their 180 travel, the cam lugs may depress the track through the long links and other connections bringing a vacuum box 100 carried by or forming a portion of the carriage 65 to position upon the top of the finished sheet. As a precaution against injur to the carriage 65 in case the upper die 43 1s lowered while the carriage is in the mold, I

provide a resilient connection 85 (Figure 4) in the link 85, allowing the carriage to move downwardly under pressure until it gains the support of the lower die.

The vacuum will preferably be applied to the box 100 at or a little before the coming to rest of'the control shaft 7 0, at which time the box 100 has come into contact with the sheet, the application of the vacuum being suitably effected by a contact 101 on the switch commutator 94, (Figure 7) at the line 102 of Figure 6.

The motor 66 is then again started, as from the starting button 96 either by an operator or by suitable me hanism synchronized with the press and the further rotation of the con trol shaft 70 first lifts the track 74 and therefore the carriage 65, the vacuum box 100 and the finished sheet when the cam lugs 80 pass out of contact with the ends of the rockers 81, and then retracts the carriage. I

The carriage 65 is retracted from the mold maintaining vacuum connection with the vacuum box 100 to support the sheet as shown by the extent of the contact 101 (Figure 7). The sheet may be handled, after removal from the box 100 by any suitable mechanism adapted to best cooperate in the ultimate delivery of the wet sheets to a drier, such mechanism being illustrated in Figure 1 conventionally by a roller transfer 103.

The switch 72 stops the motor 66 by a suitable contact 104 (Figure 7), operating upon the controller 71 to simultaneously open the circuit of the motor and to close the circuit of a suitable electrically operated brake 99, when the carriage 65 reaches its initial position, first cutting off the vacuum when the switch commutator passes the end of the vacuum contact 101.

The carriage 65 may, if desired, be again depressed as it reaches its retracted position to deposit the sheet upon the transfer mechanism 103, the vacuum being broken in any suitable way to drop the sheet upon the transfer mechanism by means of the switch 72 or optionally by using the depression of the carriage to close the suction valve and open to atmosphere, actuated at or a little before the picking up of the sheet.

The movable screen or wire 41 (Figures 1 and 2) forms the effective upper surface of the lower die, and should be washed after each forming operation.

A desirable feature of the invention is the form of vacuum box 100, illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 24 to 26, and optionally used in picking up the sheet after the sheet has been delivered from the bottom of the upper die.

As illustrated, the main body of the box 100 comprises a heavy metal plate 105, desirably steel or an aluminum alloy.

The downwardly directed lifting surface 106 of this plate is externally bounded by a sealing strip 107 fastened to the bottom of the plate by screws 108, preferably upon rubber or fiber gasket strips 109.

Spacers 110 are welded at intervals to the lifting surface of the plate 105 and a suitably perforated sheet metal or woven wire cover 111 lies below the spacers and is secured at the edges by the metal strip 107 as at 112. I may dispense with the gasket strips 109 by closing the perforations at the edge of the cover 111. I

The sealing strip 107 preferably extend downwardly slightly further than the lowest portion of the lifting surface, and particularly lower than the bottom of the perforated cover 111. Vacuum connection is illustrated at 113 to the space between the plate surface 106 and the perforated cover 111.

Vacuum may desirably be applied directly or indirectly by cam mechanism on the control shaft or by other suitable means, automatically or by hand, timed to apply vacuum when the box is ready to pick up a sheet from beneath the die and to release the vacuum when the carriage is supporting the sheet in proper positionto deposit the sheet upon suitable transfer mechanism 103.

The upper surface 114 of the vacuum box 100 is made flat so that, alternatively, it may catch a sheet adhering to the upper die and transfer it from the mold.

The carriage 65 is desirably provided with wheels 115 mounted on outboard stub axles 116, fastened at 117 in brackets 118 extending from the carriage. The wheels 115 move on the track 74, which shifts vertically as previously explained.

Another desirable feature of the invention includes provision for wiping and for lubricating the bottom of the upper die.

In the illustrated forms the carriage 65 carries, in cooperative relation with transfer mechanism that may comprise either a vacuum box 100 or a tray surface 114, suitable mechanism for wiping and for oiling the bottom of the upper die.

Figures 1, 2, 24.- and 25 illustrate a suitable vacuum box and tray which may be used. The two may be considered as alternative or in combination. For example, if the tray transfer is to be employed, the vacuum box may still be used where, as sometimes happens. the sheet does not adhere to the upper die. The structure of Figures 24 and 25 may be a tray, a vacuum box, or both.

As shown in Figure 24, the wiping and oiling mechanism includes a rotary brush or aluminum roller 119 on a shaft 120 journalled at 121 in sides 122 of an oil basin 123. The oil basin 123 is pivoted at 124 to brackets 125 from the carriage 65. Springs 126 acting against spring sockets 127 at opposite ends force the oiling brush resiliently upward, so that, when the carriage is in the mold, the oil brush will maintain contact with the lower surface of the upper die 43.

The brush or roll 119 may be operatively connected to the wheels 115 of the carriage, as by a resilient belt 128 in pulleys 129 and 130 on the respective shafts 116 and 120, so that the brush or roll rotates during travel of the carriage and preferably has a direction of rotation such that the engaging portion of the brush is moving opposite to the direction of travel of the carriage, thereby making the wiping action more effective.

The brush or roll dips into the oil pan or basin 123, the lower bristles picking up oil from the bottom of the pan and depositing it upon the lower surface of the upper die 43.

Desirably the oil is supplied continuously to the pan or basin 123 during the operation of the wet machine, an oil supplytank 131 delivering oil to the pan or basin 123 through a sight feed 132 and through pipes 133 and 134, connected resiliently at 135.

Whenever removal of the sheets is to be by vacuum pick-up, the sheet will have been already delivered from the upper die before the carriage and vacuum box move in under the die.

In this event, the progressive wiping or oiling of the bottom of the upper die takes place during the inward movement of the carriage and also during the outward movement thereof, the upper die having been brought to rest in a vertical position such that it may be engaged by the brush during the inward and outward travels of the carriage.

When I elect to use tray removal of the finished sheets, the carriage moves in under the upper die While the sheet is still adhering to the bottom of the upper die, and, to avoid danger of the sheet falling prematurely from the bottom of the die it may often be (vivell to omit oiling the bottom of the upper If operating conditions are such that the sheet will reliably stick to the upper die until stripped by engaging the deckle, as for example when the sheets are relatively thin. it

may be desirable to oil the upper die to make upper die. is raised into the deckle or the dcckle is lowered about the upper die, to force the grown edges of the sheet away from the upper die. thus permitting air to enter between the upper die and the sheet. releasing the vacuum condition between the sheet and die and allowing the sheetto drop upon the tray.

If the bottom of the upper die is to be oiled. the deckle should preferably rise to get out of the way of the oiler after the sheethas dropped upon the tray, the track and carriage rising preparatory to retracting and the carriage, .in retracting. progressing the lubricator or wiper 11$) across the bottom of the upper die. as before.

\Vhen the carriage and the sheet are near their outer positions. the track may be again depressed, permitting transfer rollers 1053 to receive and carry away the sheet.

Desirable sequences of operations with respect to the removal of formed sheets from between the sepa 'ated dies of a. wet press are indicated diagrammatically in Figures (5 and 15. suitable notations on the drawings relating the lines of the diagrams to the respective operating members of a machine assumed to be carrying out the selected cycles. Various positions of the most important operating members are shown diagrammatically in F igures 8 to 14 and in Figures 17 to 23 inclusive.

Figures 6 and 15 must be understood as not showing the relative durations of the different stages of the illustrated cyclesbeing merely illustrations. each subject to considerable variation, of suitable simultaneous relations with respect to position and rest or movement of principal operating members.

The illustrated cycles may be considered to be intermediate successive operating cycles of a wet press, or to include a later portion only of the press cycle during which the press members are either merely cooperating with transfer members or idling in position to begin the next press cycle.

Figures 6 and,15 carry at their tops markings of the numbers of the diagrammatic figures to which the various positions on Figures 6 and 15 correspond.

Figure (l contemplates removal of the tinished sheets by a vacuum box. a cycle in which the finished sheets are picked up and removed while adhering to the bottom of the vacuum box. and Figure 15 shows a cycle in which the finished sheets are received and removed on the top of a tray.

In practice either of the cycles shown in Figures 6 and 15 mav be desirably effected automatically by means of a suitable cam shaft controlling the different operations of the prc sone cycle for each rotation of the shaft. the cycle starting by an operator closing a suitable switch of an operating circuit and ending at the end of the cycle by an automatic opening of the switch.

In view of the fact that the cycle need not be and often will not be controlled by a cam shaft, and that the different modifications of the cycle can all be readily effected by suitably variant manual operation of the various controls of the system, a cam shaft has not been shown.

The removal of the sheet from the wet machine by vacuum transfer really begins in the position shown in Figure 8 with the formed sheet resting upon the upper surface of the bottom die 41. In many instances, however. an additional step is required before the sheet reaches the position shown in Figure 8. As previously noted. the bottom die. 41 is usually foraminated and the upper die 43 is often free from foramination. so that the sheet, after forming. will frequently stick to the upper die.

To avoid this diflicultv. and to insure rapid. controllable transfer of the sheet, I raise the decide. including the closed flow gates. after forming the sheet while maintaining the. position of the formed sheet between the dies.

During the upward movement of the decide the sheet is under considerable pressure. sin e desirably the full pressure of the main cylinders is applied. while the edges of the sheet are unsupported by the deckle. The pressure at this time squeezes the sheet out laterally. causing the sheet to grow slightly beyond the original confinesof the mold.

lVhile the lateral growth of the sheet is slightin extent. it is extremely important in is function, since it makes possible automatic and accurately timed separation of the sheet from the upper die by pressure of the grown edge of the sheet against some engaging surface, preferably the bottom of the declcle.

In Figure 8a I show a sheet in position between the dies. the edges 136 having grown as there exaggerated.

Between the positions of Figures 8a and 8b, the upper die and the adhering sheet are raised. and. at some point in the upward travel of the upper die. the grown edges of the sheet engage the deckle, slightly bending the edges of the sheet away from the upper die as exaggerated in Figure 8?). The bending down of the edges permits the. entrance of air between the upper die and the sheet. so that the sealing vacuum is broken. Furthermore. the deckles mechanically force the sheet away from the upper die.

The, stripping action is illustrated by the line 13 in Figure {3. in advance of the position of Figure 8. As soon as the sheet is separated or stripped from the upper die. the sheet drops from the position of,Figure 87) to that of Figure 8. In the mode of operation now being described. the sheet falls upon the screen 41'. The sheet is relatively fragile distance is of course proportionately exaggerated in Figure 8?).

During the dropping of the sheet, the deckle and closed gates move up as a unit a short distance from the position of F igure 8b to that of Figure 8, in order to be out of the way of the wiper or oiler mounted upon the transfer mechanism which moves inward to withdraw the sheet from the mold.

Between the positions of Figures 8 and 9, the carriage 65 moves into the mold, and the oiler lubricates the lower surface of the upper die. The dies and deckles do not move at this time. The motion of the carriage into the mold is completed between the positions of Figures 9 and 10, thus finishing the first wiping and oiling of the lower surface of the upper die. The relative lineal movement of the vacuum box and the length of the wiping step, are shown on Figure 6.

The track 74 depresses along the line 138 7 between the position of Figure 10 and that of Figure 11, bringing the suction face of the vacuum box against the top of the sheet (Figure 11). The vacuum is turned on at the line 102 by contact mechanism upon the switch commutator 94.

The track 74 elevates along the line 139 between the positions of Figures 11 and 12,

lifting the suction box 100 and with it the sheet 140, along the line 141, so that the sheet is supported from above free from engagenent with the upper surface of the lower Vithdrawal of the sheet 140 from the mold is completed by movement of the carriage from the position of Figure 12 through that of Figure 13, to the position for beginning the next cycle, Figure 14. During movement of the carriage from the position of Figure 12 to that of Figure 14, the oiler lubricates the lower surface of the upper die 43 for a second time, as shown on Figure 13.

Figure 13 shows the carriage retracting outwardly, supporting the finished sheet upon the bottom of the vacuum box, and simultaneously wiping the bottom of] the die as it progresses outwardly.

Beyond the'position of Figure 14 the vacuum is released along the line 142, and the sheet drops as indicated by the line 143, Figure 6.

In the cycle illustrated in Figures 15, 16 and 17 to 23 inclusive, the growing of the sheet takes place, after the deckle is raised along the line 144; in the position of Figure '17, the die then being raised along the line '145, and with it the sheet along the line 146,

before the inward travel of the carriage.

The 180 inward cycle of the transfer mechanism takes place between the positions of Figures 18 and 20 as shown in Figure 15. After the carriage comes to rest at its inward position, the upper die moves up at the line 147, between the positions of Figures 20 and .21, first raising the sheet along the line 148,

dies can be effected by either type of mechanism illustrated, using wholly distinct mechanism, one of which operates as a suctionsupporting carrier of a sheet which has already dropped to the lower die before insertion of the carrier, and the other of which operates as a tray whose upper surface receives the sheet, or -as illustrateda single mechanism capable of performing both functions.

Very obviously, my various steps and cycles may be carried out in wet machines of different types. \Vhile I prefer to use a machine having a stationary lower die and a movable upper die, as shown in most of the figures, I may employ a machine having a stationary upper die 43 and a movable lower die 41 as shown in Figure 17a, or having movable upper and lower dies 48 and '41,

as shown in Figure 176.

Where the lower die is the movable die for press purposes the wire screen and its operating mechanism should be supported along with the lower die and should move upwardly with it. This is contemplated in the structure of Figure 176, as are also intended such changes of deckle relation with the upper die as are desirable in view of the changed conditions of motion. The deckle movement with respect to the upper die is still of course desirable for the purpose of freeing the mold space between the dies for removal of the sheet, and further to permit advantage to be taken of the growth of the sheet after the deckle has been raised out of the way, and the subsequent separation of the sheet from the upper die by relative movement of the deckle and upper die, which where the upper die is stationary, will then be due to downward movement of the deckle. The lower die can be stopped in any position desired to determine the extent of drop of the sheet after its release and can subsequently be moved 

